Looking for a brew shop

[eyvindur]

Hey there. I'm new to the forum, and fairly new to brewing as well. So far this has become my favorite obsession. The forum looks nice and friendly.

I'm from Iceland, and the brew shops here only carry hopped extract kits, and while these are OK I really don't find them as much fun as doing boils and the whole (extract as of yet) thing. So I have to order my supplies from overseas, unfortunately.

Well, as it happens I'll be in London for a few days (and one day in Manchester). I was wondering if anybody on here is located in London or Manchester (or knowledgeable enough) and could point out a brew shop with a good variety of malt extract, hops and grains where I could stock up a bit while I'm there, to save on shipping.

And of course I'll take any tips on good watering holes to visit, as this is my first time in England (a crying shame, as I've always wanted to go - better late than never, right?).

Thanks so much.

Cheers,
Eyvindur

[Bryggmester]

Velkominn Eyvindur. Fom what I have read on the forum I think that home brew shops in London are few and far between and the ones that there are tend to be a long way from the centre. Manchester I don't know anything about but no doubt some of the locals will advise you on this. As far as good watering holes in London is concerned there is a thread about Real Ale in London, you will find it in the Taproom dating around the end of March. Hope you enjoy your visit.

[steve_flack]

You'll also notice that, despite our government's best efforts, beer is still cheaper here than in Iceland. Iceland currently holds my personal record for most expensive beer I've ever bought. £8 for a 500ml bottle of Budvar (I was thirsty and soon after I figured out what the state liquor stores looked like)

[spearmint-wino]

Hi Eyvindur,

Bryggmeister is right, there isn't a HBS in central London unfortunately , you'll probably have better luck with Manchester (send Vossy1 or Dan a private message, I'm sure they could help).

On another note I'm visiting Iceland in 2 weeks time - will be in Reykjavik and SW Iceland for 5 days, are there any good microbreweries / beer bars you could recommend for a taste of the local stuff?

[eyvindur]

Thank you all, so much. I sort of had a feeling about London, since all my research hadn't pointed me to anything promising. Decided to ask anyway. I have found web sites of a couple of stores in Manchester, so I'll give that a go. Although lugging 20 Kg of brewing supplies on the train doesn't really sound very appealing ...

As far as Iceland goes... There are no brewpubs and micros are a new thing and both (yes, both) situated in the middle of nowhere. I find most of the local beers rather bland, but there are a couple you should try. Kaldi is a microbrewed lager, available both light and dark - this is about the only lager I can still stand. Then, for something different, I reccomend tasting Maltextrakt and Maltbjór, which are pretty much the same thing, only one is non-alcoholic (the former). These are maltzbiers. That's about it for what I've tasted, although there are some new brands out that I haven't tried yet.

If you're here later than the 20., feel free to pm me, and I'll be more than happy to show you some decent pubs and treat you to some nice homebrwe, if you'd like.

[JohnJeye]

The brew shop I use is just outside of Manchester but its not really worth travelling to from Iceland ! It would be no easy task to get there also if you don't know the area. Anyway its called Julies Homebrew, 881 Oldham Rd. Hopefully someone knows on in the centre.

If your in Manchester though try and seek out the Oyster Bar also known as Sinclaires. Its a small olde English pub and one of the best and cheapest pints you'll find in Manchester along with good food. Theres a large area between Selfridges and "The Triangle" and is easy to ask for directions too if you can't find it

Theres various Weatherspoons as well the largest and best being Moon Under Water on Deansgate. Again easy to find, food's abit iffy but they have some big name English Ales on.

[CarpHunter]

I also use one just outside Manchester I have never had a problem with any of my dealings with them and their prices seem on a par with most other shops that I have used, here is a web link for them.
http://www.zen37219.zen.co.uk/

[eyvindur]

Thanks. I've been looking at their web site. They seem pretty good. I sure hope I'll be able to find it. But if anybody knows one more centrally located, that would of course be excellent (although I have no idea if I'll actually be centrally located myself or not - I'm going to see a play there, and I'm not even sure if we'll spend the night, so time might be a bit tight).

I'll be sure to seek out that bar, if I have the time. Sounds delightful. I have a thing for english ales .

Again, thank you all so much.

[JohnJeye]

Found a nice picture ! Oyster bar on the right and The Wellington on the left. After the bomb went off in Manchester and they started to rebuild they actually picked these pubs up and moved them 50m or so to a better location!

[eyvindur]

Wow. That looks... Well... Tasty, somehow. No doubt about it, I have GOT to get there somehow. I'll make it happen.

[Garth]

There is another brew shop in Manchester, this one's down the bottom in Stockport. I think Vossy has used this one

The Brew Shop, 48 Buxton Rd, Stockport, SK2 6NB

0161 480 4880

http://www.zen37219.zen.co.uk/